Latest News in Romanian Tourism

Snow Trains 2009-2010
CFR Passengers announce that, starting with the date December 13, 2009, released "Snow Trains offer travel-2009/2010", valid until February 28, 2010. This offers lovers of winter sports multiple choice travel to / from mountain is addressed to all ages and groups of minimum 10 people, being available at:

- all trains connecting Bucharest and Prahova Valley mountain resorts: Sinaia, Busteni, Azuga, Predeal, Brasov;
- Wah trains with destination Bucharest, Suceava, Iasi, Cluj Napoca and return;
- trains connecting Bucharest - Piatra Neamt and return;
- trains with the destination of Galati Brasov, Cluj Napoca, Sibiu, Oradea and Suceava.

Tariff reductions are:

This year's novelty consists in applying the tariff reduction of 20% from Monday to Thursday, for all passengers, regardless of age, 2nd class, which travel on the direct relationship, and as a point of departure / destination a station the department Breaza-Brasov, Wah station with trains Acc 1653.1654 or R train station in Piatra Neamt 651/657, 658/652


tariff reduction of 25% in 2nd class for group travel (minimum 10 people) round trip, the train of any rank, the relationships are calatoriece point of departure / destination station on a section Breaza-Brasov Wah bus station or Piatra Neamt. This is increased by 2% for every 8 persons in addition to groups of over 50 people (in group travel tourism offer "Snow Trains" does not apply to groups already have another discount). Roundtrip ticket validity is 30 days after the holiday shower.


Travel tourism offer "Snow Trains" can be purchased at travel agencies or the railway ticket counters inside the railway station in anticipation of up to 30 days.
The tender will be sold as a basic option for those who do not benefit from other facilities.
Passengers who choose to offer "Snow Trains" not eligible for other discounts granted on the basis of laws.

CFR Passengers and advise passengers to buy tickets early. Also, the reservation may be made by phone on departure day train as: Bucharest - the number 004 021/9522; 0040268 421 700 Brasov, Cluj Napoca - 0040264 952, Brasov - 0040268 421700, Iasi - 0040232 202,777, Galati 0040236 496 000, Constanta 0040727 999 952, Timisoara 0040256 200 457.

Additional information on stations and railway agencies in Bucharest and the country or at the phone number 004 021/9521


Source: www.cfrcalatori.ro
Publishing Date: December 29, 2009 at 09:06

Tickets are sold CFR Passengers travel agency

Launched in October the NHS CFR Tickets Online ", where passengers will have the option of purchasing via the Internet, online payment, the railway tickets for domestic traffic at all fast trains, Fast and intercity. Thus, any user, individual or company, registered on the website www.cfrcalatori.ro, will be able to buy train tickets online, all necessary details to be submitted following the trip via email, accessible and the user profile.

Service "CFR Online Tickets" can be used by travel agencies, as "authorized distributors", will be able to sell railway tickets online for their clients. To become an "authorized distributor" of the service is necessary to have a license travel company and to conclude a service contract with CFR Passengers. Also, use of the service "authorized distributor" does not involve additional costs. Service "CFR Online Tickets" can be used by any PC connected to the Internet, and the tickets can print to any printer, not need specialized equipment. MT CFR specifies that the tickets online does not allow postponement, anticipation or trip interruption, and the maximum number who may require travel to places in a single online transaction varies depending on the type of wagon.
Also, with the launch of this service, CFR Passengers and operates the company's new website which will allow www.cfrcalatori.ro readiness services: CFR Tickets Online "and" Book Online "(reservation of seats online for domestic traffic individuals, without paying their place), but also easy access to information about offers and services available to passengers.

According to MT, buying train tickets online presents a series of avanteje, including:

- Saving time, avoiding the congestion of railway stations and agencies, because it will not to go to units for sale to purchase the railway tickets.
- Railway tickets purchased online are nominal, and travelers may submit an application to train with these patterns (any printer) or "ID ticket" plus an ID. It is advisable to train clients to present the printed ticket. Tickets can be purchased anytime and anywhere in the country, 7 days in 7, but in advance between 3 and 30 days for adults, children, pupils or students, all trains reservation regime in domestic traffic. Online payment will be made by bank card using a product ecommerce provided by Raiffeisen Bank.

Source: NATA Media Magazine
Publishing Date: December 29, 2009 at 09:05

Photo concurrence "your winter holidays with an agency ANAT"

National Association of Travel Agencies from Romania launches between December 25, 2009 to February 15, 2010 first photography contest, "your winter holidays with an agency ANAT" addressed to tourists spending winter holidays through NATA member agencies.

As you know, always trying to make the site more useful and enjoyable NATA for its visitors. He came among us to do and a menu for tourists and in the spirit of winter holidays - we launched a contest through which it will be rewarded for having chosen to travel with NATA agencies.

I expected photos travel enthusiasts surprised "souvenir photo" of their holiday. This contest is a challenge for those who have a camera and at the same time desire to use it in a creative reason!

We consider such trafficking as we grow the NATA website, this time in the campaign promoting the site heavily "Select Travel Agency - Travel with NATA!"

Like any contest that respect, it will have some prizes:
Place 1: A vacation at sea offered by the Association ABROAD - Danube Delta, 5 nights Hotel Tomis - mother in a period that will agree with the organizers;
Place 2: A mountain minivacanta offered by Mistral Voyages, 2 nights at the Hotel Mistral Resort Moieciu - 1 double room accommodation with full board - in a period that will agree with the organizers.

Source: NATA
Publishing Date: December 24, 2009 at 09:03

Travel Guidelines for Winter Holidays

Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports the Romanian citizens who want to spend the holiday abroad and launch the second edition of "guide and travel for the winter holidays.

The material includes information concerning conditions of entry and residence arrangements for 20 of favorite tourist destinations in this period by the Romanian citizens as well as general information on consular assistance that can benefit if necessary. Also, guidelines contain recommendations on holidays with car travel abroad.

MFA recommends Romania to inform tourists before departure on travel conditions in the destination country. Therefore, we recommend that Romanian citizens before any trip abroad, check tips, conditions and travel alerts www.mae.ro site, under "Travel advice" and other official information provided by authorities country they wish to move.

Full visa regime for Romanian citizens are found on the ministry's website at www.mae.ro, the "Visa and Consular Services -> Visa -> visa regime for Romanian citizens.

Source: MFA
Publishing Date: December 24, 2009 at 09:02

Elena Udrea received favorable opinion in parliament for the position of Minister of Regional Development and Tourism.

Elena Udrea, proposed to the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, was favorable opinion of expert committees, with 43 votes for, 4 against and one abstention. Elena Udrea was heard by the Committee on Public Administration, Territorial Planning and Ecological Balance, Industry and Services Committee (Chamber of Deputies), Committee on public administration, territorial organization and environmental protection and the Economic Commission, industry and services (the Senate).

Publishing Date: December 24, 2009 at 09:00
Source: www.hotnews.ro

Skal Club Romania has a new Executive Board - December 16, 2009

Romania Skal Club members active in the tourism industry, elected a new executive board in the office of President is Michele Meoni (pictured) - CEO of Continental Hotels, and vice-president is occupied by Sonia Nastase - CEO Howard Johnson Grand Plaza.
After 8 years of activity in Romania as president Skal, Antoni Kühnen, founding member, has handed Michele Meoni. For contributing to the development Skal Romania, Anthon Kühnen was declared honorary president of the club.

At the same time as Secretary General was named Otilia Demian - Sales Continental Hotels, and was elected treasurer Michael Rajna - Secretary General of Romania Hotel Industry Federation.

Communication & PR will be responsible Nicoleta Marin Paraschiv - National Accounts Director Global Cynergies and function of international relations & business affairs will be occupied by Javier Garcia del Valle - Vice President HappyTour.

Special Project was named Lucian Boronea - General Accent Travel & Events.

Board of management Skal Romania changed from free to a date 2 years.

At 10 years of existence in Romania, Romania Skal objective is the establishment of new regional branches in the cities of Sibiu, Oradea, Brasov, Tg. Mures, Constanta and Suceava.

Skal Romania is an organization that brings together all sectors of the tourism industry: hotels, tour operators, transport operators and event organizers, and other related services in the field of hospitality.

Currently, Skal Club Romania counts 76 members, 14 of them being founding members.

Skal is the abbreviation of 4 Scandinavian words: Sundheit (health), Karlek (friendship / love), Alder (long life) and Lyka (happiness).

Source: www.dailybusiness.ro
Publishing Date: December 24, 2009 at 08:28

Alexeni city, near Urziceni - Berceanu proposed airports, which serve Bucharest

Appointed Minister of Transports, Radu Berceanu (PDL), like the future near Bucharest airport to be built at Alexeni, near Urziceni, Ialomita county and not in Adunatii Copaceni proposed location of the former Minister of Transport Ludovic Orban (PNL), write Mediafax.
"The future of the Bucharest airport, made the concession, I think the Alexeni should be, where there was already a runway, we could get one in November and give a concession," said Tuesday Berceanu.

Source: www.dailybusiness.ro
Publishing Date: December 24, 2009 at 08:18

Elena Udrea received favorable opinion in parliament for the position of Minister of Regional Development and Tourism.

Elena Udrea, proposed to the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism, was favorable opinion of expert committees, with 43 votes for, 4 against and one abstention. Elena Udrea was heard by the Committee on Public Administration, Territorial Planning and Ecological Balance, Industry and Services Committee (Chamber of Deputies), Committee on public administration, territorial organization and environmental protection and the Economic Commission, industry and services (the Senate).

Source: www.hotnews.ro
Date: December 22, 2009

Skal Club Romania has a new Executive Board - December 16, 2009

Romania Skal Club members active in the tourism industry, elected a new executive board in the office of President is Michele Meoni (pictured) - CEO of Continental Hotels, and vice-president is occupied by Sonia Nastase - CEO Howard Johnson Grand Plaza.
After 8 years of activity in Romania as president Skal, Antoni Kühnen, founding member, has handed Michele Meoni. For contributing to the development Skal Romania, Anthon Kühnen was declared honorary president of the club.

At the same time as Secretary General was named Otilia Demian - Sales Continental Hotels, and was elected treasurer Michael Rajna - Secretary General of Romania Hotel Industry Federation.

Communication & PR will be responsible Nicoleta Marin Paraschiv - National Accounts Director Global Cynergies and function of international relations & business affairs will be occupied by Javier Garcia del Valle - Vice President HappyTour.

Special Project was named Lucian Boronea - General Accent Travel & Events.

Board of management Skal Romania changed from free to a date 2 years.

At 10 years of existence in Romania, Romania Skal objective is the establishment of new regional branches in the cities of Sibiu, Oradea, Brasov, Tg. Mures, Constanta and Suceava.

Skal Romania is an organization that brings together all sectors of the tourism industry: hotels, tour operators, transport operators and event organizers, and other related services in the field of hospitality.

Currently, Skal Club Romania counts 76 members, 14 of them being founding members.

Skal is the abbreviation of 4 Scandinavian words: Sundheit (health), Karlek (friendship / love), Alder (long life) and Lyka (happiness).

Source: www.dailybusiness.ro
Publishing Date: December 23, 2009

Tourism Partnership Press Club - PRESSTOUR FIJET ROMANIA ROMANIA AND INVITATION

Today December 22, 2009, held a press conference at the Bistro restaurant Minuet (Bucharest, Romanian Atheneum behind) of the Press Club of Tourism in Romania - PressTour - FIJET Romania. The purpose of this meeting was the signing of a contract of partnership between Tourism Press Club of Romania - travel agency INVITATION PressTour and ROMANIA (Mr. Gheorghe Fodoreanu).
Bucharest, December 22, 2009

PRESS RELEASE PRESSTOUR - FIJET ROMANIA ROMANIA AND INVITATION

Press Club Tourism - Romania and Agency FIJET INVITATION Romania signed a partnership for five years. Through this agreement the two parties will assist in development efforts in running various events.

Partnership agreement was signed today by Mr.. Victor Radulescu, chairman of the Press Club of Tourism - Press Tour - Romania and Mr. FIJET. Gheorghe Fodoreanu, agency president INVITATION ROMANIA.

The agency will have the status of an official partner of the Club and the image will be protected aceasteia ethics by members FIJET Romania.

Club agency may request logistical support for events organized in Romania or abroad and on all printed club logo will be included in agency partner. The partnership signed today, INVITATION Romania pledged to provide quality services for events to be run by the Club. Club members will have priority access to information on the tourism industry in Romania, information that may be provided by INVITATION ROMANIA - the most important incoming of our country.

The first action to be conducted into this partnership is the Gala Awards Press Tour - Romania FIJET event to be held in Seaside on January 30, 2010 at Hotel Europa in Eforie Nord (in the event organized by Tourism New Year NATA). Another event will be held annually, with the support agency INVITATION Romania will be a cocktail at Snagov Club where members can discuss in an informal environment with partners and close associates.

Tourism Press Club Award Categories - Press Tour - FIJET Romania in 2009 (12 awards)
Media: television, radio, newspaper, media agencies / internet, Periodical / Tourism Literature, Photography / Film Tourist
Tourism Industry: Industry, Hotels, Travel, restaurant, transport, professional education / Spa, ecotourism / tourism

Partnership with Agency ROMANIA INVITATION not include any exclusivity clause, propure Club is open to any partnership or collaboration. To conduct this contract has been designated a team that will stay in touch between the two partners will manage and support events involving agency INVITATION ROMANIA. The team designated the Club is made up of: Corina Scarlat - Vice President of the Club, Gabriel Arsene - Club Treasurer Traian Badulescu - press officer of the Club.
Source: Tourism Press Club of Romania - Press Tour - FIJET ROMANIA
Publishing Date: December 22, 2009

PRESS RELEASE INVITATION Romania obtained AWARD PROGRAM CUSTOMER Thomas Cook France For "L'AME DES Carpates"
- It is the most important award of incoming tour-operators obtained a Romanian --

Thomas Cook is one of the three giants of world tourism, with the TUI and Neckermann. Thomas Cook France has, year after year, a clientele of more than 400,000 tourists. Each year, programs are subject to a comprehensive assessment against Thomas Cook customers, with the obvious aim of improving communication, loyalty, quality programs on the market, conditions essential for the maintenance of touroperatorilor.

The project "Cultural Circuit Romania - UNESCO values" has been launched by touroperatorul Invitation Romania in 2008, and in the second year final project must be rated as one of the Romanian cultural tours.

The team of Mirela Iordache - CEO Invitation Romania, architect Mircea Savu - Associate certification guide UNESCO Europe and brought Gheorghe Fodoreanu Romanian tourism, this segment, the most prestigious award ever obtained by the product of cultural circuit in Romania.

This recognition will be awarded at the Gala Awards and Thomas Cook will have the 2010 brochure and a positioning signal exception. As mentioned in catalogs Thomas Cook France, the distinction will be a vector for advertising, promotion, marketing, product sales, this success resulting in similar growing interest towards European tourist destination Romania.

Gheorghe Fodoreanu
Former president of NATA (2006-2007)
President INVITATION ROMANIA
gheorghe.fodoreanu@invitation-romania.ro
www.invitation-romania.ro
Source: INVITATION ROMANIA
Publishing Date: December 22, 2009

PRESS RELEASE Gheorghe Fodoreanu
Monday, December 21, 2009

IMPASUL collaboration with ROMEXPO - A DANGER FOR AGENCIES
The discussion started by the dissensions between NATA and Romexpo in the autumn of 2009 is for all travel agencies in Romania early damage to a context of promotion, testing and sale of products of domestic and outgoing tourism, activities that provide 80-90% of budgets Annual necessary. These trade-offs have been triggered by the inability to communicate, installed between the new leadership of the NATA and the Romexpo, a situation worsened at the expense of NATA members.

I am the one who moved the International Tourism Fair of Romania in the spring and fall that triggered reflex local tourism fairs Euroregion, while I was president of NATA. In this capacity, I wish to call attention to the current leadership ANAT following:
1. Grand International Tourism Fair of Romania in 2010 and for the next few years can not be organized only in space Romexpo.
2. Other fairs are NATA needs to tempt commercial fairs, tour-operators in the relationship - networking - final customer.
3. There Bucharest Fair, which is almost implemented in customer buying bucuresean reflex, but no doubt the location is unfortunate elected.
4. Travel Grants, which facilitates meetings between groups of providers and NATA members can be held in separate locations, but only to take into account the purpose of each deal. For example, Bucharest Tourism Fair, with soft sales record of touroperatorilor program has two priorities indisputable: the need for a downtown location plus minimum 6 sqm space for each exhibitor.
5. Fair is the meeting between producers and specialists reseller networks, the meeting between tour-operators and various service providers (hotels, transport, restaurants, airlines, etc.).. May be held in autumn, with two days plus two days dedicated to the sale of business meetings in Bucharest or elsewhere, or by rotating locations.
6. Travel scholarships, meetings between groups of providers and tour-operators should be only two per year (September - Seaside plus delta, October - spa, skiing, mountain tours, rural tourism).

This structure take into account the interests of fair NATA members, of changes in the market because Internet development, lack of time and the availability of travel agencies and owners is an existing Western model, experienced and effective.

Gheorghe Fodoreanu
Former president of NATA (2006-2007)
President INVITATION ROMANIA
gheorghe.fodoreanu@invitation-romania.ro
www.invitation-romania.ro
Source: Gheorghe Fodoreanu
Publishing Date: December 21, 2009

Around 164,000 Romanians will visit Austria over the winter holidays

Romanian Times
Around 164,000 Romanian tourists will visit Austria over the winter holidays, according to the Austrian Tourism Bureau in Bucharest.

Their number may be two per cent lower than last year, according to the Bureau, which said 212,534 Romanians had visited Austria during the first nine months of 2009, according to Mediafax.

The Bureau predicted Vienna would continue to be Romanians' favourite destination, as last winter 93,500 Romanians visited it, followed by Kaprun, Zell am See, Sölden and Innsbruck.

A Romanian tourist spends on average 143 Euros a day during the winter season, compared to an international average of 140 Euros.

Romanian tourism officials said 60 per cent of Romanians preferred packages that included accommodations and breakfasts.

Source: www.romaniantimes.at
Publishing Date: December 17, 2009

PRESS RELEASE ANAT Winter 2009 - 2010

For the period of winter holidays, ANAT projected to decrease by more than 10% over the previous year the movement of tourists. To date, travel packages and places owned by the hotel staff were sold at a rate of 70-80%.

It noted an increase in tourism demand for the Christmas period, both internally and externally. Reasons: familiarity Romanians to go with family for Christmas, obtained in recent years, and lower rates during this period, to New Year period.

TOP TYPES packages sold DOMESTIC TOURISM AGENCIES STATES ANAT
1. Holiday travel packages (hotel and villas in the Prahova Valley area, Predeal, Poiana Brasov, Bran-Moieciu Borsa Arieşeni, Păltiniş Campulung Moldovenesc etc..)
2. Resort packages (Baile Felix, Călimăneşti-Căciulata, Wah, Buziaş, Covasna, baths Herculane Govora baths, etc..)
3. Rural tourism packages (Bran Moieciu, Maramures, Bucovina, Marginimea Sibiu, Vrancea, Mountains)
4. Packages in cities (Bucharest, Brasov, Arad, Timisoara, Constanta, Oradea, Iasi, etc..)
5. Packages Seaside (Mamaia, Mangalia, Eforie Nord)
6. Packages in the Danube Delta

TOP TYPES OF EXTERNAL packages sold by NATA STATES TRAVEL AGENCIES
1. Winter Packages (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia)
2. European cities (Paris, Vienna, Barcelona, Prague, Rome, Budapest, Athens, Amsterdam, London, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan)
3. Destinations and Coastal Mediterranean (Egypt - may be the beach, Greece, Turkey, Malta, Tunisia, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Israel, Mediterranean cruises)
4. Luxury and exotic destinations (Dominican Republic, Finland Lapland, Thailand, Cuba, Brazil, Mauritius, Maldives, Caribbean, Mexico, ocean cruises).

TOP TYPES incoming packages sold by NATA STATES TRAVEL AGENCIES
Unfortunately, the chapter incoming winter season does not attract many tourists gathered in Romania. Most are individual and choose rural hostels. Most groups are in the first half of January, the former Soviet space. Thanks to improve relations with Moldova, expects more tourists from the neighboring country.
1. Resorts (Sinaia, Predeal, Poiana Brasov, Bran Moieciu Slănic Moldova) - Groups of Moldova, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Hungary, individual tourists from Greece, Turkey, Hungary, United Kingdom.
2. Tourism (Maramures, Bucovina, Apuseni Mountains, Marginimea Sibiu) - individual tourists from Hungary, Germany, Austria, Italy, France etc..)

FORECASTS FOR 2010
ANAT expects the 2010 Romanian tourism to recover from 2009 and record a slight increase of at least 5%.
A recovery in tourism, both domestic and incoming and external, can be ensured by the following factors:
- Developing programs for early booking
- Developing programs and special offers
- Diminishing or stagnant prices
- Maintenance of the Ministry of Tourism
- Adoption Law Tourism
- Develop concept of holiday tickets
- Slight growth compared to 2009, provided by specialists.

 
Experience of 2009, do not believe that we will see bankruptcies of some major tour-operators. Travel agencies ANAT States have shown that through flexibility and quality services can come through the crisis. We will continue to forge alliances between agencies, especially for travel packages with charter flights operated. If the factors mentioned above will be true, it is possible that in the second half of next year, from August to September, to see a substantial return to the same period in 2009.
ANAT
Bucharest, December 16, 2009
__________________________________________________

Prices charged by travel agencies ANAT are up to 30% below the rates of acceptance
A study by NATA on packages offered by member agencies in 2009, compared with rates for accommodation and transport that customers can obtain on their own revealed the following:

    * Prices of accommodation charged by travel agencies shall ANAT are always lower than the rates offered directly by the units receiving the hotel. In many cases accommodation prices offered by travel agencies are up to 30% lower than the rates of arrival.
          o Examples: for 2009-2010 winter season accommodation prices offered by travel agencies shall ANAT are even with only 50% reception rates for cities such as Vienna, Prague, Dubai but also in the Romanian mountain resorts.

 

    * Prices for transport by charter member agencies provided by NATA for the summer-winter holidays are much smaller than regular airline fares purchased early, arriving to compete for larger distances with low cost airlines rates or expenditure transpotului personal car.

    * Overall, in 2009, customers who bought packages through travel agencies shall ANAT have saved up to 50%.
          an example: package travel agencies shall NATA for Antalya - Turkey this season are 50% lower than the cost of accommodation and transport can be obtained by a tourist on your own (accommodation + ticket)

 

"It is the benefit of the customer to understand better how the system works as a travel agency. Contrary to myths on the market, the agencies do not earn commission received from customers but from volume discounts obtained from hotel unit. It is therefore in their interest to sell as much as low prices. Even now, in winter 2009-2010, a double room at a hotel in the reception Moeciu cost 70 EUR / night but those who buy through travel agents States ANAT pay only 53 euros / night. Therefore speak of an economy by 30% only for accommodation, not add to the value added of the peace of knowing that everything is booked in advance and are free from surprises, "said Corina Martin, President of Employers Anat.

According to the same study, in 2009, 85% of hotel units on the Romanian coast were sold through travel agencies. Of this percentage, about 15% were sold by interemdiul program "Early Booking - Early Sign-ups" that brought tourists an additional discount of 20%.

In 2009, travel agents States ANAT sold 1.2 million packages over 3 million foreign and domestic tour packages on.

NATA launched in October 2009 education campaign "Choose Travel Agency - Travel with NATA" by seeking correct information to the public on the benefits they can obtain by purchasing travel packages through travel agencies shall Anat.

Patronage of the National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania (ANAT), is an organization aimed at representing and defending the professional interests of its members on domestic and international tourism Occupation ensuring and enhancing the contribution to raising the quality level of tourist activity in Romania.

For more information:
Traian Bădulescu
Press Counselor ANAT
Mobile: 0722.766.255, 0749 05 05 82
E-mail: traian.badulescu@anat.ro
Source: NATA
Publishing Date: December 17, 2009

Train tickets in a network of agencies Eurolines

It is well positioned as a mix of products and distributor of complete solutions for the travel industry Eurolines group.
This idea was a matter of time before the removal of the train ticket.

Through our network of agents, we offer you the possibility to buy train tickets to any destination, both in Romania and Europe.

Among your benefits, we can mention: raspanadire area agencies (in all major cities of the country), their central location, well-trained agents and fast in processing applications - these things increase the accessibility and speed with which you can buy train tickets.

Developing a little, I wanted to bring this service to Eurolines agencies that can add value-added product, using the strengths that you already have. Thus, you can save time, formulating an e-mail request by a consultant Eurolines, you can choose to send you the train ticket by courier to the address requested or can choose to pay via online banking.
Another strength worth mentioning, that supports the mix of products Eurolines network, is that you find in one place and transportations and lodging, this mix is actually the most important.

Finally, we think it must sets the range of services they provide are Eurolines: package tours, air tickets, bus tickets, train tickets, individual accommodation, medical insurance, rent a car. Remember the voucher and present, because the destination is sure to be someone who will appreciate it!

You are welcome!
Source: EUROLINES
Publishing Date: December 17, 2009

Meridiana will start operating a new flight between Bucharest Otopeni and Venice on the 19th of December. The second Italian airline company, runs tree direct flights per week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, using one of the 17 MD82 aircraft in the fleet (165 seats).

The schedules are as follows:
Bucharest  – Venice: departure at 4.35 pm and arrive at 5.30 pmVenice – Bucharest: departure at 12.30 am and arrive at 3.25 pm

For the first time in more then 40 years, Meridiana will be linking with this primary international destination and moreover, our new Romanian customers will be able to discover a very special destination: Venice and the Veneto region.

Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, but there are many reasons to visit Veneto region too, the cities of Veneto are jewel cases that preserve precious historical and artistic relics. This region is a rich land, which is embellished with the enduring stamp of the Serenissima Republic. Moreover, in the winter season, the mountains of this region are a skier's paradise with hundreds of kilometres of slopes for long-distance and downhill skiing. In the summer, the views are the stuff of dreams, making an holiday unforgettable.

Venice and Veneto region are a gourmet’s paradise, providing the perfect opportunity to enjoy its famous and rich cuisine, which proposes many specialities including hundreds of different proposals, as well as an exceptional range of fine wines and aperitifs.

Since the flight was proposed on the distribution channels, last September, has now registered 2000 passengers already booked on this new route and assumes to reach the target of 40.000 passengers carried in one year.

On the Bucarest – Venice flights Meridiana offers promotional fares starting from 35€ (taxes included), based on a one way flight for each person.
Reservations and e-tickets can be purchased in every travel agency, online by visiting our website www.meridiana.com  or calling our Call Center at +39 0789 52682.

Meridiana’s 21 strong fleet comprises 17 MD82 and 4 A319 aircraft. In 2008 the Company carried  over 4 million passengers, ranking as second major airline in Italy in terms of passenger volume.

For further information:
Loredana De Filippo
Responsabile Relazioni Esterne e Stampa

PRESS RELEASE ANAT
NATA recommends retaining MINISTRY OF TOURISM IN THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF ROMANIA

- Together with the Ministry of Tourism, 2009 managed ANAT measures essential for tourism development in Romania
- For 2010 NATA priority is adoption of the Law of Tourism

In 2009, the National Association of Travel Agents (NATA) has succeeded with the Ministry of Tourism adopt Holiday Ticket Law (who was implemented, with companies and institutions that have rewarded such employees) and developing within the Council Consultative Committee of Tourism, the draft Tourism Law which is currently in public debate on the website of the Ministry of Tourism.

As a proponent of community travel agencies in Romania, ANAT believes that maintaining continuity of this structure will ensure the successful completion of several projects started in the old term but still unfinished.

NATA is concerned about the possible abolition of the Ministry of Tourism in response to pressures from certain groups and thus sees an urgent need to alerting public and media on these topics and also the importance of this structure for the development of Romanian tourism.

NATA position vis-a-vis the problems of the Romanian tourism, be it solely by the travel agent or not, has always been pro-active and interested. Romanian tourism problems are our problems, of all who work in this industry and therefore for the existence of powers to regulate industry and make the guild interests promoter travel agents and other actors in tourism at the highest level of the position of full equality, is of utmost importance.

Ministry Partnership with industry associations should continue as started in the Advisory Council meetings. Tourism Law should be promoted in Parliament, and in these times of economic crisis, there is the Ministry of Tourism is vital to an industry which now provides 2.5% of GDP but has set ambitious as the few years to reach 5%.

Corina Martin
President NATA
0722 150 767
presedinte@anat.ro
presedinte@asociatia-litoral.ro   

Source: NATA
Publishing Date: 15 december 2009

Press Release  
APG Interline E-Ticketing (APG IET) Growing Rapidly               - 8 Additional Airlines Join in November

APG-GA Worldwide Press Office:
Representation Plus
Alison Cryer / Kate Fenton
Email : apg@representationplus.co.uk
Tel: +442088774508/12
Fax: +44 208 874 4219

 For more information, you may also contact APG-GA’s Paris Office:

APG France
66 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75008 Paris, France
Majbritt LEENAERT, APG IET Product Manager
E-mail : iet@apg-ga.com
Tel : +33 1 53 77 13 49 - Fax +33 1 53 77 13 03
Web Site: www.apgiet.com

Or contact your local APG member - see www.apg-ga.com
For further information on APG- Global Associates and their products visit: www.apg-ga.com

NOTES TO EDITORS:
The 54 airlines that have signed up for Interline E-Ticketing with Heli Air Monaco (YO/747) are: 
Aerolineas Argentinas (AR 044), Aeroflot (SU 555), Aerosur (5L 275), Afriqiyah Airways (8U 546), Air Burkina (2J 226), Air China (CA 999), Air France (AF 057), Air India (AI 098), Air Madagascar (MD 258), Air Malawi (QM 167), Air Mali (I5 261), Air Namibia (SW 186), Air Pacific (FJ 260), Air Uganda (U7 926), Antrak Air (O4 916), Aserca (R7 717), Atlasjet Airlines (KK 610), BABOO (F7  033), China Eastern Airlines (MU 781), China Southern Airlines (CZ 784), Compagnie Aérienne Corse Méditerranée  (XK 146), Conviasa (V0 308), Daallo Airlines (D3 991), Eurofly (GJ 736), Georgia Skies (LW 568), Ghana International Airlines (G0 678), Hainan Airlines (HU 880), Hewa Bora Airways (EO 663), Hong Kong Airlines (HX 851), Hong Kong Express Airways (UO 128), Kentucky Skies (LW 568), Livingston (LM 857), Meridiana (IG 191), New Mexico Airlines (LW 568), Olympic Air (OA 050),  Oman Air (WY 910), Pacific Wings (LW 568), Philippine Airlines (PR 079), Phoebus Apollo Aviation (PE 855), Santa Barbara Airlines (S3 249), SATA Air Acores (SP 737), SATA International (S4 331), Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV 065), Shandong Airlines (SC 324), Shenzhen Airlines (ZH 479), Solomon Airlines (IE 193), Spice Jet (SG 775), Tennessee Skies (LW 568), Transaero Airlines (UN 670), Turkish Airlines (TK 235), Vietnam Airlines (VN 738), Wataniya Airways (KW 100), Xiamen Airlines (MF 731), Zambezi Airlines (ZJ 707).

APG Global Associates is the world's leading network for Airline Distribution and Financial Services. With 82 APG Global Associates and Service Partners, we are present in 115 countries and have relationships with over 240 airlines. Services include Sales Representation Services, variable cost access to BSPs and ARC systems, Interline E-Ticketing, Airline Passenger Insurance, and ATPCO Fare Filing Services.

Source: APG Romania
Publishing Date: 14 december 2009

Wizz Air: We do not have financial problems and we continue to expand in region

After last week announcing a Czech economic magazine operational loss of 9.5 million euros for Wizz Air in 2008, company officials say there is no financial problems within the group and that he will continue expansion plans in the region.


In addition, according to the same Czech publications in the 5 years of operation Wizz Air has never came on profit and has accumulated losses of 78 million euros. "Companies from Ukraine and Bulgaria are open soon and it's normal to need 3-5 years to reach break even point. Instead, Wizz Air Hungary is already in profit, "said the Wall-Street, Natasha Kazmer (photo), communications director of the company who did not want to give financial details of the company.

Another argument made by it is extending dinaminca that Wizz Air has had in the region, and increase the fleet by 2017. "A failing company would not extend to the rhythm that makes Wizz Air. In addition, in the summer we signed an agreement in principle with Airbus for the purchase of another 50 A320 aircraft between 2014-2017. It is known that Airbus is very selective in terms of collaborators, "the official said Wizz Air.

Another question raised by those who claim that Wizz Air may be the next low cost airline will go bankrupt is very rapid withdrawal of the Slovak market, where the disappearance of Sky Europe has left an untapped niche. "The airport in Bratislava there is a monopoly of those of Ryanair, which owns 98% of flights. I tried to fly on a relationship between Bratislava - Rome airport charges but there are very high and not profitable, "explained the representative of Wizz Air.

Romania remains one of the most important markets for low cost airline. "By year-end estimate that we will carry 1.6 million passengers in relation with Romania and will become the largest company in the market, surpassing and Tarom," says Kazmer, adding that the load is in relation with Romania 85%.

In terms of expansion plans on the local market, starting in 2010, Wizz Air will Marsa already established routes. "We will still focus both on Italy, which is the most important market for us in relation with Romania, especially after the bankruptcy My Air, but also by Spain, which fell this year on the business, but recovered by leisure . We launched and several new routes, but we insist on increasing market share on routes already established, "he explained communications director of Wizz Air.

Between January to October, Wizz Air has carried to and from Romania about 1.4 million passengers, with 85% more than the same period last year.

Wizz Air currently operates 31 routes from and to Romania, reaching 230 flights Theaters in September.

The company entered the market in Romania in July 2006 and established the first operational base in Bucharest in June 2007, and the second in Cluj in May 2008.

The third base was opened in Timisoara, in February 2009.

Source: www.wall-street.ro
Publishing Date: December 14, 2009

The average per hotel room in Bucharest fell by 19% in November

The average price per room per night in hotels in Bucharest, decreased by about 19% in November 2009, compared to November 2008, to 81.43 euros, according to a report hotel.info hotel reservation online service.
However, the average in the Capital hotels rose in November to 5% from the end of quarter 3 this year, when the level was about 77.97 euros.

Cities such as Stockholm, Helsinki and Warsaw, whose hotel rates fell particularly hard in 2009, and came back in November and saw increases of prices of accommodation for up to 15%, compared to the end of quarter 3 of the same year.

The world renowned metropolitan cities, stands out especially Rio de Janeiro. This growth has raised a total of 20%. Even the prices of accommodation in New York, Tokyo and Shanghai have recovered significantly.

Source: www.dailybusiness.ro
Publishing Date: December 14, 2009

Romanian tourists resorts crisis away

Many hotelierii of Prahova Valley resorts have reduced prices for Christmas and New Year packages from last year, but with all those reservations are, in some states, half from the same period of 2008.
The tourists resorts of Sinaia and Busteni Prahova not be rushing to make bookings for Christmas and New Year, as happens about this time last year.

If in the same period of 2008 there were not any place to stay for New Year's Eve in resorts on Prahova villas and hotels, this year the occupancy rate is significantly low, in some cases only 50%.

According to representatives of Sinaia Tourist Information Center, this resort is reserved, at present, only 75% of the approximately 10,000 places to stay in approved hotels and villas in the resort, provided that in early December 2008 all these seats were reserved and provided that rates have not increased from last year, and some hoteliers and discounts made by 10 to 15%.

In terms of bookings for Christmas, in Sinaia only 60 - 70% of the total seats are reserved for approved accommodation last year about this time the number of places reserved for Christmas being 10% higher.

Most searched for the end of the year are villas that are the least expensive and have been reserved at a rate of 100%. For a villa with 5, 6 or 7 rooms in Sinaia tourists and prices paid 1,000 lei for three nights accommodation, but in this money to provide housing only, without any weight, no festive meal without spending the New Year's Eve .

The hotels in Sinaia, prices vary between several hundred and several hundred euro lei, depending on the type of accommodation.

The cheapest packages are two-star hotels, where for three nights accommodation with breakfast, meals and New Year festive meal on the first day of the year tourists pay 550 lei per person.

The three-star hotels cost a tour package under the conditions is, on average 1,500 lei in four star hotels of pressure applied from reaching 490 euros and 1,000 euros.

No tourists in Busteni not rushed to make reservations for New Year's Eve. Mayor resort, Emanoil Savin, who owns a hotel and several villas in logs, said that if all seats in November last year were reserved for New Year this year are more popular hostels, the occupancy rate for hotels is the only New Year 50%.

That in conditions which, supports the mayor of logs, prices are up to 25% lower than last year.

"The crisis is known in tourism," Savin said, adding that hotelierii months of logs will launch new packages to attract bids of as many mountain lovers to logs at the end of this year.

Source: Bloombiz
Publishing date: 06 Decembrie 2009

PRESS RELEASE CARPATAIR

Carpatair is launching market flight Hungary Budapest - Venice
The inauguration flight Budapest-Venice:
- Carpatair is the first full service carrier in Romania to launch flights point to point outside the country
- Carpatair strengthens its position as the regional leader destination Italy, where he most frequent flights and destinations
Timisoara, November 25, 2009: Carpatair, full-service airline based in Timisoara, launched beginning of December 7, 2009, fly directly to Venice-Budapest relationship. The new route will be operated with a frequency of 10 flights per week, using aircraft-type 50-seat Saab 2000.

Venice and Budapest are traditional markets for over 10 years Carpatair. By launching the new direct flight Venice - Budapest carrier expands its presence on the two airports with 10 more weekly flights complementing the existing 20 flights (6 flights venice-Darwin and 14 weekly flights in code share with Moldavian Airlines on the relationship Budapest Chisinau).
Venice-Budapest flight will operate on code share partnerships with Malev Hungarian Airlines, Carpatair the operating carrier with quality and marketing carrier Malev. This collaboration will ensure continuity of services offering customers the opportunity to travel both between Venice and Budapest, and whether multiple connections to various European destinations from Hub Malev from Budapest.

"Venice-Budapest flight, are included in the regional development plan that has Carpatair
objective of this long and steady recovery of the company on various European destinations. Direct flight Budapest - Venice materialized following the withdrawal of the partner company Malev Hungarian Airlines on this route. Knowing that our company aircraft operated this route in partnership wet lease (rent aircraft full service) for the company Malev, taking those flights is something natural, passengers are already familiar with the product Carpatair with our aircraft, and quality service on board "said Nicholas Petrov, President & CEO Carpatair.

New flight schedule:
Flight route no. Operating Days Departure Arrival
Budapest / Venice V3 420 123456 - 08:05 09:40
Venice / Budapest V3 421 123456 - 10:10 11:40
Budapest / Venice V3 422 1-3-5-7 17:30 19:05
Venice / Budapest V3 423 1-3-5-7 19:35 21:05

Passengers new flight will have both services Economy and business class tickets can be purchased both online, by accessing www.carpatair.com, and through ticketing agencies.
Other steps taken by Carpatair in the medium term development strategy is the launch this autumn of two new routes to Italy (Bucharest - Bari and Bucharest - Ancona) with a frequency of 3 and 2 flights / week, and widening 3 Fokker 70 aircraft fleet with a capacity of 72 seats.

ABOUT CARPATAIR:
Carpatair is the largest regional airline in South East (mainly operates regional niche markets). After successfully applying the concept of "hub & spoke" (air transport hub where passengers are offering flight connections to destinations all over the network of an operator), Carpatair Timisoara managed to develop the best performing air hub in Romania.
Currently, Carpatair operates over 250 scheduled flights per week to 30 destinations in 6 countries. Carpatair is the largest air operator in Romania relationship - Italy offers the greatest number of destinations in two countries (10 in / in each country) and the largest number of flights - 94 per week.

Marketing Department Carpatair
marketing@carpatair.com

S.c. Carpatair S.A.
307210, Timisoara Int'l Airport, Timisoara, Romania, Phone +40 256 306933 Fax +40 256 306962 www.carpatair.com
November 25, 2009 at 16:44
Date: 25 november 2009

Transfer runs on crowded Baneasa Airport Otopeni

Otopeni airport was crowded Monday morning, especially in ghiseele check-in for international departures, because those 210 flights a day on which they have AIHCB have added about 50 flights a day from Baneasa, said the head of public relations airport Mihaela Cyril. "Air traffic normal on the International Airport Henri Conde is amounts to an average of 210 flights per day, and after trasferul temporary runs on Baneasa Airport has recorded an increase to around 260 flights a day", she said it.
Around 10.05 time about 80 people waiting at the counter for check-in luggage teaching, running the Cologne company's German Wings will to take off at 11.15.

At 10.30 race to Cologne was announced as being arrived at the airport, and passengers in May had passed through the passport control point. The aircraft took off at 11.40, with a delay of 20 minutes, and company representatives have not commented because of the delay, which they considered a minor.

Also, the first day of the transfer of flights from Otopeni to Baneasa airport AIHCB representatives consider that delays were due ghiseelor of check-in, and if they were sporadic minor delays of only a few minutes, because companies are concerned.

At the arrivals terminal has been registered a delay of 35 minutes of racing Wizz Air dispre Venice, and representatives of Otopeni Airport were informed that the flight left late from Venice.

Baneasa airport on Monday which is for two weeks, closed for the works were on Otopeni relocate a total of five companies that low-cost Blue Air, Wizz Air, My Air, Sky Europe and German Wings, and the rest are racing Blue Coral Charter, Cargo, Air Cargo, Novel Air, Tunis Air, Air Orion, Farnair Cargo and UPS.

Baneasa Airport director, Stefan Mladin, said Monday that NewsIn for every day transiting the airport approximately 4,000 passengers.

Representatives Henri Coanda International Airport recorded more than 14,000 daily passengers and estimated that the temporary takeover of the passengers on Baneasa will reach a traffic of up to 20,000 passengers.

"International Airport Henri Coanda Bucharest (AIHCB) has the logistics necessary to temporarily transfer between September 29 to October 12, the race on the AIHCB Baneasa Airport, which is confirmed in the meetings that took place with representatives of companies handling, catering, refueling and ROMATSA "said last week the chief public relations service of Otopeni Airport, Mihaela Cyril.

In the temporary relocation of air traffic at the airport Baneasa Airport Henri Coanda have taken the following measures: dynamic allocation and monitoring flights for optimal use of resources airport, supplementing staff to cover peaks of traffic, the application of special operating procedures to enlarge operational capacity, making further revisions of all technical systems.

Thus, he said Mihaela Cyril, following the analysis of the air flight will operate temporarily on AIHCB estimate an increase in the number of passengers of approximately 25-30%.

Baneasa airport will be closed traffic between September 29 to October 12 for the path to run Delta, connecting the horses in the track and platform.
Director General of Airport Aurel Vlaicu, Stefan Mladin, noting that the cat will be closed Baneasa Airport vast majority of companies will relocate their activities at Otopeni Airport or, depending on their policy, they will cancel some flights.

Myair canceled, in the period from September 29 to October 12, 50% of flights at the airport Baneasa and Otopeni on the transefera, while WizzAir will operate all flights, said Tuesday NewsIn representatives for the two low-cost companies.

"In the period from September 29 to October 12 have canceled 50% of flights. The price of tickets will be the same even if taxes on Otopeni airport are higher. We will lose not only, certainly will be confusion and delays will be," she NewsIn declared the general director of the company myair, Antonio Iervolino.

WizzAir company representatives have said they will work on how the Baneasa Airport will be closed for works, with 260 flights (departures and arrivals), which means they do not reduce the number of flights. The cost of tickets will not be affected by the relocation runs on Otopeni Airport and hope that will not appear delays, company officials have said

And airline Blue Air flights trasfera all of Sept. 29 until Oct. 12 in the Baneasa Airport Otopeni Airport, the company announced.

Source: www.wall-street.ro/articol/Turism/49336/Transferul-curselor-de-pe-Baneasa-aglomereaza-Aeroportul-Otopeni.html
Publish: 06 october 2008  ora 18:00

Daily tour of Bucharest for foreigners

Starting with September, TravelMaker travel agency organizes a daily bus tour of Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
The tour takes about 4 hours and provides an English speaker guide for foreign tourists.
The tourists will enjoy a few attractions located downtown and can decide to visit the Parliament Palace or the Village Museum.
More information about the regular tour of the capital or the possibility to become partner of the tour will soon be available on www.BucharestCityTour.com website.